Meals & Snacks Promote Healthy Practices During COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Washington State Department of Health released guidance for early learning programs to limit the spread of COVID-19. Find a short summary of the guidance below. (Click the links above for the full guidance.)

Tips for serving meals and snacks

Serve them in the program space. Prevent large group gatherings.

Stagger mealtimes and create space between groups when

serving in a large lunchroom or dining hall.

Space children as far apart as you can at the table. Make sure

tables are at least 6 feet apart.

Consider having children take their meals outside.

Get rid of family-style and buffet meals. The provider should

handle utensils and plate the food to make sure children are not

sharing food with each other.

Foster Healthy Eating, Learning and Development Be present when children are eating. Praise children for trying new or

less-preferred foods. Maintain social distancing and model healthy eating.

Talk with children about what they are eating. Talk about taste, smell,

feel, color, shape, texture, where the food comes from or how it’s grown.

Use mealtimes to help children learn their signs of hunger and fullness.

Use the terms “hungry” and “full”. Let children decide how much or how

little to eat.

Use a curriculum like Grow It, Try It, Like It or Harvest for Healthy Kids to

include foods and healthy eating in lessons and activities.

Encourage children to try new foods using these phrases that help and

hinder from MyPlate.

Serve foods that meet the Child and Adult Care Food Program meal

pattern standards (this is also WAC 110-300-0185).

Visit the Links Below for More Information:

Nourished and Active in Early Learning

Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards

To request this document in another format, call 1-800-525-0127. Deaf or hard of hearing customers, please call 711 (Washington Relay) or email civil.rights@doh.wa.gov. DOH 340-359 August 2020.